Jobless Vietnamese millennials would rather stay home than do manual work

Some 55.1 percent of the 1.11 million unemployed in Vietnam are aged 15 to 24, according to the General Statistics Office’s socio-economic report for Quarter III, 2017. Youth unemployment stood at 7.8 percent in Q3/2017, much higher than Vietnam’s overall unemployment rate of 2.02 percent. In Q3/2016, 7.86 percent of young people were jobless. The bleak numbers underscore the uphill battle young people have been facing in finding jobs that match their aspirations and academic credentials. They have grown frustrated, either awaiting job offers at home or opting for temporary employment with moderate pay. “While Vietnam does not experience alarming high youth unemployment as in many other countries, ensuring quality jobs for the young generation remains a great test for the nation,” said ILO Vietnam Director Change-Hee Lee. Experts say millennials struggle to find jobs largely because companies tend to favor experienced candidates. Nguyen Bich Thuy, 28, knows exactly how it feels. The Hanoi University of Commerce graduate has been unable to find an accounting job so she sells fruit and homemade cakes online instead. She earns just enough to cover daily expenses. “I’m not confident of finding a stable job in the future,” Thuy said after having sent off dozens of application letters over the past few years, but receiving just a few interview invitations. “Without a stable job, without much money, I dare not map out any long-term plans.” Another reason for high youth unemployment is that millennials, especially college graduates, would rather remain unemployed than take up… [Read full story]